Work of Charles and Ray Eames (Hardcover)

~ Donald Albrecht (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Published on the occasion of a major international traveling exhibition organized by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany (holders of the two richest Eames collections in the world), this comprehensive volume is a testament to the Eameses' belief that good design could improve people's lives. From the 1940s to the 1970s, the prolific husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames designed furniture, buildings, exhibitions, and interiors, and made films. They are perhaps best known for the form-fitting chairs that were mass-produced using the same techniques the Eameses developed in their first apartment. Taking a multifaceted approach to their multifaceted careers, this comprehensive, clothbound volume with French folds includes a filmography, making clear the pair's profound influence on the visual vernacular of the 20th century.

Product Description

Charles and Ray Eames gave shape to America's 20th century. From the 1940s to the late 1970s, the Los Angeles-based husband-and-wife team designed furniture, buildings, toys, films, graphics, exhibitions, and books that aimed to improve society--not only functionally, but culturally and intellectually as well. This title includes six generously illustrated essays that examine the couple's projects in the contexts of science, corporate patronage, politics, and modern design. 200 illustration, 150 in full color.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 204 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810917998
• ISBN-13: 978-0810917996
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,016,521 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bible for Eames lovers!, May 24, 1999

By A Customer

This is a wonderful book. I have Eames furniture and love it, but only a small part of this book is about the furniture. This book discusses the art, architecture, films, "multimedia" pieces, and more created by Charles and Ray Eames. There are short tributes from coworkers, friends, and luminaries like Robert Venturi at the end. A great book!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Founders of a Profession, August 22, 2000

By	Michael R Bernstein (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews

The Eamses were innovators in many fields such as Architecture, furniture design, film, etc. But to my mind their gretest acheivement was the definition of a new profession, 'Graphic Design', or as I beleive they called it, a 'Design Office'.

Up till then, there was 'Commercial Art', and 'Art Departments', and whatever styling was applied to an industrial product was done as an afterthought, and usually by an amateur.

After The Eamses, a new recognition that the design of appearances was a craft and a profession, and not just an art, was born.

This book demonstrates in many ways, how Ray and Charles Eames applied this and many other insights to the various fields of endeavor that they entered and changed forever.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Design @ it's best!!, April 12, 2002

By	allen merritt (Murfreesboro, TN United States) - See all my reviews

Words don't do justice to the work & imagination of Ray & Charles Eames! This is a beautiful book covering the creative minds of two of the best modern furniture designers. Filled with great pictures, & very complete text of their design & the many other things they created besides furniture.The Eames' are my biased favorite, if you love modern 50's furniture,fabric, & art you must have this book.They worked for the infamous Herman Miller company, who has reissued many of the Eames furniture pieces available again today.As creator of the modern molded fiberglass chair, & molded plywood, the Museaum Of Modern Art has Charles' chairs as Art, which they are & comfortable too!More than comparable to their Danish counterparts,this couple brought us sleek,smooth lined furniture that will take us into the space age for at least another fifty years!(check out A.I.-incredible backgrounds of modern furniture!)